Softball

No. 11 Texas downs UMass 3-0

Luna fires a one-hit shutout

CATHEDRAL CITY, Calif. – No. 11 Texas used a one-hit shutout performance by sophomore righthander Blaire Luna as it upended UMass 3-0 in its final game at the Cathedral City Classic. The win improved the Longhorns to 14-2 on the season and dropped UMass to 2-7. Texas’ victory marked its fourth consecutive shutout of the tourney.

Luna (9-1) faced three over the minimum in her one-hit effort, while walking one and fanning 10. UMass starter Sara Plourde (2-5) was saddled with the loss after surrendering three runs on five hits, walking six and striking out seven.

Junior first baseman Lexy Bennett’s RBI double in the fifth extended her career-best hitting streak to 10 games, while sophomore designated player Kim Bruins plated the only other runs with a two-run single in the same inning.

After four innings of scoreless play, the Longhorns kicked in the offense in the fifth to take a 3-0 edge. Sophomore rightfielder Taylor Hoagland drew a leadoff walk to start the rally and came all the way around to score on Bennett’s RBI double to left centerfield. With two outs in the frame, third baseman Nadia Taylor reached on hit by pitch. Sophomore designated player Kim Bruins followed Taylor with a two-run single that plated Bennett and pinch runner Courtney Craig and moved UT’s lead to three.

Massachusetts’ only threat came in the third when Katie Bettencourt reached on a two-out error and promptly stole second. A single to rightfield by Kyllie Magill followed, but a laser throw by Hoagland cut down Bettencourt at the plate as she attempted to score.